Horse riding all in the family

Family all a part of daughters' riding team.

Family all a part of daughters' riding team.

September 06, 2006|KIM KILBRIDE Tribune Staff Writer

Sarah Gouker is a good athlete. But, she's not on any sports teams. ". . . I've got J.R.," the eighth-grader said on a recent afternoon, patting the horse's massive head and then planting a smooch on it. In lieu of all of the other things this talented Schmucker Middle School student has given up, she's got J.R., a young, black quarter horse who has become her friend, confidant and extracurricular activity all rolled into one. She's had the horse, whose formal name is Simply Classical, since last fall. Despite his suffering from an abdominal illness and subsequent surgery since becoming a member of Sarah's family, J.R. and his new owner most recently won championships at the Indiana State Fair in both junior horsemanship and junior showmanship. Sarah's superior riding skills have already rubbed off on her little sister, Emily. The 9-year-old is happily following in her big sister's footsteps. Emily inherited Maxi Maid, a horse Sarah had previously owned, when J.R. became a member of the family. Too young for 4-H until next year, Emily has been in a variety of "open" horse shows around the region and has participated in Mini 4-H. And, she's fared well, too. What's so special about horses? one who is unfamiliar might wonder. "I talk to my horse and she understands me," Emily said. Maxi is dutiful and does as she's told. "It's like the love they have for us," Sarah explained as J.R. was showing his master affection with a series of friendly nudges. "He's wallowing all over me right now . . . We're a team." Indeed, the entire Gouker family is part of this contingent. Mom, Elisa, takes the girls to the stables where the horses are boarded in Niles nearly every afternoon of the week and often on weekends. When there are shows to participate in, she prepares all of their clothes and equipment and packs the van. Dad, John, who is temporarily serving as dean of students at Schmucker, helps the girls ready the horses. And, the entire family travels together. What the girls get out of showing horses, Elisa said, is a tremendous amount of self confidence. Sarah, meanwhile, does have another passion that's almost as great as riding. She's an accomplished singer. Since she was 3 years old, her mom said, she's wowed people with her voice. Her grandma sent a recording of hers to the Little Nashville Opry in Brown County, Ind. Sarah was among a small percentage of applicants chosen to perform a warm-up act there this fall. Among stars who've visited Little Nashville are Tanya Tucker, Billy Ray Cyrus and Randy Travis. In October, the same month she'll get her braces off her teeth and dress up for the crowd at Little Nashville, she'll also be donning her cowboy boots and readying J.R. for the Quarter Horse Congress in Ohio. There, the duo will compete in the world's largest single-breed show. And, while it might not be as glamorous as Little Nashville, at this event, Sarah will have her best friend by her side.Staff writer Kim Kilbride: kkilbride@sbtinfo.com (574) 235-6554